TREASURE ISLAND

by Robert Louis Stevenson

Adapted by Bryony Lavery

Directed by Sabrina Poole

sdpoole93@hotmail.com

Rehearsal start date – from 12th October

Performance dates – 19th December-3rd January (except 25th/26th)

Audition Dates –

Monday 18th August 7pm – 10pm

Wednesday 20th August 7pm – 10pm

Saturday 23rd August 11am – 3pm

Recalls:

Wednesday 27th August 7pm – 10pm

Saturday 30th August 10am – 4pm

THE PLAY

Robert Louis Stevenson’s beloved swashbuckling tale is brought to life in Lavery’s imaginative and witty adaptation. It’s a dark and stormy night. Jim, the inn-keeper’s grand-daughter, opens the door to a terrifying stranger. At the old sailor’s feet sits a huge sea-chest, full of secrets. Jim invites him in – and her dangerous voyage begins.

Full of sailing and sword fights, daring adventures and dangerous pirates, this show will aim to capture the heart of Stevenson’s novel. We’ll be exploring all the facets of the story – dark and light to create an exciting and thrilling show. Play is going to be the key word, I’m looking for an open-minded, creative, and adventurous team to take us to our final destination.

SINGERS/MUSICIANS

Sea shanties and music form a good part of the show. I am looking for strong singers and musicians who can play instruments such as violin, piano, guitar, flute/recorder, accordion, and percussion. There are two opportunities for musicians to take part: either as actor/musicians who would also fill a role in the show or solely as musicians who will appear as part of the ensemble on stage in key scenes and transitions. Those interested in appearing as an actor/musician should state this on their audition form. Those interested in musician should email their interest directly to the director including information on their instrument and level.

AUDITION FORMAT

Auditions will take the format of group work. We will begin with some group devising and character work followed by singing of a sea shanty – if you are not a confident singer do not worry, this is a group exercise. This will be followed by some text work. Actors are encouraged to wear comfy clothes that they can move about in.

THE CHARACTERS

Ages are given as playing ages only. Please note all actors must be over 18. We will be taking a gender-blind approach to the majority of the characters so auditionees are encouraged to audition for whatever takes their fancy. There is room for some doubling, but smaller roles can be taken on their own for those looking for less commitment.

Admiral Benbow Inn

Jim Hawkins Junior – teenager – a teenage girl dressed as a boy. Naïve but with a big heart and a bigger sense of adventure.

Grandma Hawkins – 60+ – a landlady, no nonsense but cares deeply for Jim.

Doctor Livesey – 30+ – a doctor and magistrate, strong moral compass, stronger backbone.

Squire Trelawney – 30+ – a squire with a big mouth, not very clued in.

Red Ruth – any age – lover of pies, future crew member

Job Anderson – any age – warned off the drink, bad swimmer, future crew member,

Lucky Micky – any age – is as his name suggests…for the most part, future crew member

Visitors

Bill Bones – 40+ – a haunted villain, violent temper and dependency on the drink

Black Dog – 40+ – eight fingered villain, aggressive.

Blind Pew – 50+ – blind villain, quietly ominous.

Crew of the Hispanola

Captain Smollett – any age – Captain of the Hispanola, straight thinking man, bit of a temper.

Long John Silver – any age – one-legged cook, charmer and villain

Joan the Goat – any age – headbutting villain

Isreal Hands – any age – clumsy, Brazilian villain *please note Isreal speaks almost exclusively in Portuguese. The actor playing this part will either need to be proficient with speaking Portuguese or speak another language we can translate his lines across to – all languages are welcome.

Dick the Dandy – any age – fashion savvy villain – deadly but fabulous.

Killigrew the Kind – any age – gentle killer villain

George Badger – any age – hard done by villain – life’s just really not fair,

Grey – any age – a grey, monotone, forgettable character yet this gives them an understated capacity for heroics

Captain Flint – a sassy, occasionally viscous parrot – the actor as Captain Flint will control a parrot puppet whilst speaking the lines.

Island Inhabitants

Ben Gunn – late teens to twenties – marooned cabin boy, lithe and nimble, has a strong obsession with cheese.